• Log in
    Out.comFashionEntertainmentDesignLifestyleTravel & NightlifeOut ExclusivesNewsPrintWeddingsVideo
    ADVOCATEPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    Email NewsletterSubscribeSubscriber Services
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Out MagazineOut Magazine
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    Relive the Hedonistic Glory Days of the 90s Club Kids With These Photos

    Mikelle Street
    | 09/19/19

    Relive the Hedonistic Glory Days of the 90s Club Kids With These Photos

    Walt Cassidy

    You know the Club Kids. No, you really do. Lady Bunny, RuPaul, Amanda Lepore, Bjork; you know these names. Well a majority of them had their breakout moments (or even their formative ones in culture) in the late 1980s and through the 1990s. There, they were part of a quasi-crew headed by Michael Alig most known for crafting the culture of and populating the buzziest New York City clubs at the time. They boasted oversized, personally crafted personas, outrageous looks, and enough cultural cache that daytime talk shows felt the need to give them a ton of air time. And without Instagram, it was photographers for magazines and newspapers that captures all of this and disseminated it around the world to amplify their impact.

    In his new book, artist and jewelry designer Walt Cassidy, then known as Waltpaper, gives an ode to these often unsung heroes. New York: Club Kids by Waltpaper is a curation of Club Kid imagery, by a Club Kid, giving a look back at one of the last subcultures of the analog world.

    Here, we preview select images from the book, which is available October 3. Pre-orders are available now. Read our Q&A with Walt here.

    Catherine McGann, Michael Alig, Christopher Comp, and Waltpaper at Macy's Rave, 1992. Copyright Catherine McGann. All Rights Reserved

    Walt Cassidy

    Brian Lantelme, David Flex (porn star and go-go dancer) at Sally's II, 1996. Copyright Brian Lantelme. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Misa Martin, Onyx Noir, Makeup Room at Webster Hall, 1994. Copyright Misa Martin. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Joseph Cultice, Sidney Prawatyotin in High Times, 1994. Copyright Joseph Cultice. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    SKID, Astro Erle at Limelight, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Stephan Lupino, The World, 1988. Copyright Stephan Lupino. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Misa Martin, Waltpaper and Lil Keni at Webster Hall en route to Club ID, 1995. Copyright Misa Martin. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Stephan Lupino, The World, 1988. Copyright Stephan Lupino. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Catherine McGann, Boybar drag queens, 1987. Copyright Catherine McGann. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Michael Fazakerley, Waltpaper, 1992. Copyright Michael Fazakerley. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    SKID, Sacred Boy and Desi Monster at Limelight, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    SKID, Sacred Boy, Astro Erle, Desi Monster, and Keda, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Michael Fazakerley, Waltpaper, 1992. Copyright Michael Fazakerley. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    Stephan Lupino, The World, 1988. Copyright Stephan Lupino. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    SKID, Page, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    William Laxton, Whillyem, 1994. Copyright William Laxton. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    ZAK, Amanda Lepore and Arman Ra at Global 33, 1996. Copyright ZAK. All Rights Reserved.

    Walt Cassidy

    SKID, Waltpaper at Limelight, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

    Latest Stories

    The Last of Us; Brokeback Mountain; Fire Island
    Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies

    15m
    ​17 Pics of LA Pride Lighting Up Universal Studios
    Events
    Badge
    gallery

    ​17 Pics of LA Pride Lighting Up Universal Studios

    18h
    Pride at Home: The Items You Need to Infuse Your Space with Love & Identity
    Lifestyle
    Badge
    gallery

    Pride at Home: The Items You Need to Infuse Your Space with Love & Identity

    20h
    The Stars Came Out to Celebrate WeHo Pride & OUTLOUD
    Pride
    Badge
    gallery

    The Stars Came Out to Celebrate WeHo Pride & OUTLOUD

    21h
    Shea Couleé; Target
    Pride
    Badge
    gallery

    Shea Couleé Claps Back at Target After Fan Can't Buy Pride Merch

    22h
    How to Rock a Speedo: The Hot Dog Visual Guide
    Out Exclusives
    Badge
    gallery

    How to Rock a Speedo: The Hot Dog Visual Guide

    23h
    pageboy
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    5 Things We Learned From Elliot Page's New Memoir 'Pageboy'

    June 06 2023 5:10 PM
    Icesis Couture; Heidi N Closet; Baby
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Who Quit the Show While Filming

    June 06 2023 2:09 PM
    Zane-0
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    15 Pics of 'Fire Island's Zane Phillips to Bring Up the Heat

    June 06 2023 11:39 AM
    Robbie Manson
    Sports
    Badge
    gallery

    Gay Olympic Rower Robbie Manson Joins OnlyFans

    June 06 2023 11:23 AM
    Gay Travel Influencers Michael & Matt Share Their Secrets For Playa del Carmen & Quintana Roo
    Travel & Nightlife
    Badge
    gallery

    Gay Travel Influencers Michael & Matt Share Their Secrets For Playa del Carmen & Quintana Roo

    June 06 2023 10:46 AM
    pride products
    Pride
    Badge
    gallery

    25 Brands With Pride Products That Actually Give Back to the LGBTQ+ Community

    June 05 2023 3:31 PM
    Wear Your Pride: Expressing LGBTQ+ Identity through Fashion
    Lifestyle
    Badge
    gallery

    Wear Your Pride: Expressing LGBTQ+ Identity through Fashion

    June 05 2023 2:00 PM
    Heidi N Closet
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    Heidi N Closet Updates Fans About Her Decision to Quit 'All Stars 8'

    June 05 2023 1:17 PM
    17 LGBTQ+ Reality Dating Shows & Where to Watch Them
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    17 LGBTQ+ Reality Dating Shows & Where to Watch Them

    June 05 2023 10:49 AM
    13 Times Celebrity Men Had to Say They Weren't Gay
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    13 Times Celebrity Men Had to Say They Weren't Gay

    June 05 2023 10:40 AM
    25+ Thirsty Pics of Out Travelers Michael and Matt Going Deep in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
    Travel & Nightlife
    Badge
    gallery

    25+ Pics of Out Travelers Michael & Matt Going Deep in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

    June 02 2023 6:06 PM
    Patrick McDonald
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    Meet the Hot, Gay 'Vanderpump Rules' Producer Fans Are Thirsting For

    June 02 2023 1:26 PM
    Willam
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    No, Willam Is Not Going Back to Compete on 'Drag Race All Stars'

    June 02 2023 10:45 AM
    pride anthems
    Music
    Badge
    gallery

    20 Essential Gay Anthems Perfect for Pride Month

    June 02 2023 10:16 AM